"Oh gosh." I groaned into my hands. "No way, please." I slammed my eyes shut and took another look at the photo Betty happened to send to me. It was him again. It was like I couldn't get away from him.

Who is he? He's hot.

I don't know.

Have you seen him around? Apparently he's new.

Where did you find it?

What?

Where did find this photo?

OnStephanie's story. It's public for everyone to see.

Of course.

The picture was of Stephanie and that new guy, Theo. Something about him just made me want to to curl up into a ball and hide away. There was something about him that made my skin shiver even at the way he just looked at me. I had never had someone look at me the way he did before. But it weirdly felt good. It felt good to have his eyes watching me, staring at me. Though he showed no indication to whether or not he liked what he saw; he was just plain out right emotionless. To me, how I saw Theo, he looked like the type to think everyone was in love with him just because he acted and dressed like a mysterious biker - and a hot one too. But, he also looked like a downright player and that I knew very well of because he was with some random girl at that party - even though he clearly had a thing going on with Stephanie.

I didn't know how relationships worked - heck I'd never had one - but I knew you'd have be respectful and loyal to your partner if you were together. So something was telling me they weren't together, and if they were, they definitely didn't have a good relationship.

I jolted by the sound of my phone pinging with another message from Betty. But the nerves from my stomach had read only appeared again and I slumped in my seat, the breakfast I recently had was now churning in my stomach.

*Sent image*

Looks like he's going to

your school.

🝮🝮🝮

Surrounded by warm water and bubbles was the best thing to calm me down the night before school. My muscles were in fact tense but the warmth from the water helped me relax and rest my head down on the edge of the tub.

I breathed out slowly to ease the panicky feeling in my stomach I closed my eyes and listened to the light sounds of the bubbles popping and the light sound of music coming from my phone. But my mind was still focused on one thing and one thing only.

Theo.

He was new here and was going to the same school I was at. That meant I'd see him regularly and I didn't know how I'd react when I see him in person again. He was overwhelmingly tall and had breathtaking features; all features were like some sort of top Emperor themself had given them to him. I knew he hadn't been the most charming to me in all the times we had met, but I'd be willing to forget that just because of how handsome he was.

I had never seen someone so beautiful as him and certainly had never fell in front of someone in a store once. But I coincidentally did that in front of Theo and Stephanie. The two people I'd never want that to happen in front of.

I guess there were first times for everything.

I reached for my lemon scented shampoo from the basket beside the bathtub and loathed my hair in it, lying back once again against the tub. I could smell the raspberry candle burning on the windowsill and that partly made me relax, although there was that burning question of 'why did he move here' in the back of my mind. I turned my head to the right and watched the outside world. All I could see was palm trees and the stars in the night sky as they shimmered and dances across the dark blue blanket of colour. Everything looked picturesque in Los Angeles. Everything.

Betty had called me this morning practically screaming over the phone about Theo and how lucky I was to be going to the same school as him.

Talking to Betty had been getting harder and harder to do since the time zone was vastly different between where we both lived. But we had both been trying really hard to message each other and even FaceTime.

She had called me up earlier on and I could tell she was really nervous to start at her new school because she sounded like she was pacing up and down her room and jabbering on about it.

She told me that she would call me after her first day and that she'd tell me everything that had happened, and honestly, I couldn't wait to speak to her. I missed her a more than I gave myself credit for.

When I felt like I was ready, I cupped some water into my hands and poured it over my hair, gently rinsing out the soap suds. "Ouch!" I yelped when I almost slid under the water. "That was close."

No way was I washing my hair in the bath again.

I stepped out and wrapped a fresh towel around me, bending down to pull the plug out. I threw on some clean pyjamas and brushed on my matted hair, letting my hair dry naturally with a few oils in.

I wondered how school had been for Betty today. I hoped she found it alright. I really wished I could've been there with her.

I climbed into my bed and grabbed a hairband from the jewellery stand beside me, quickly plugging my phone in to charge. I rushed to set all my alarms which there were about ten of because I couldn't trust myself to wake up in time. I had slept over my alarms thousands of times and I wasn't going to risk it tomorrow.

After some time in struggling and fighting with my fingers to plait one side my hair, I slumped and fell face first onto my bed. Now I had the other one to do.

I had always liked to plait my hair because when I did, I felt a lot prettier. Curly hair had always suited me better than straight hair. My face was just, basic and bland with straight hair whereas curly hair made it look like I had volume in my hair and lit up my face more.

I sat up in a more comfortable position as my arms start to ache more and more from trying to plait the other side, but it was no use. As I wrapped a strand of hair around another, my phone rang out and I groaned.

I leant over to grab my phone, arm stretching out far almost and that almost made me tip off the bed.

Without looking at the caller ID, I answered it anyway, panting lightly. "Hello?"

"Hi, it's me!" Betty's voice screamed down the phone. "Guess what?" She asked and I could feel her happiness radiating off her through the phone.

"What?" I asked in much excitement. I quickly balanced my phone on my thigh and leant over to grab another hair band. I put Betty on speaker.

"School actually went great!" She squealed and I could hear some shuffling on her end.

"That's great! Tell me all about it!" I fell back against the pillow and tied the end of the braid.

She paused for a second. "I've already met some really nice people. I didn't expect them to be so welcoming to be honest. Oh, oh! The lessons weren't as bad as I thought they were going to be. It's definitely a lot different from America, Will." She let out a rushed breath and I smiled to myself.

"How so?" I rolled onto my stomach, my fingers tracing over the pattern of my pillow case.

"Well these dudes were speaking weirdly. I think this is what is called ask, Chavs." She giggled. "They had different foods in the cafeteria, too. Some I've never even heard of." I couldn't be any more happy for her.

"That sounds great.." I breathed in. "H-have you make any new friends?" I swore I could hear my own heart beat.

"Uhuh! I met these two girls called Nicole and Poppy. They both play for the lacrosse team and they said I should join. But I don't know, throwing a ball into a net isn't really my speciality." My heart plummeted like a ten foot building that was just been knocked down.

I exhaled a tight breath of air, my lips forming into a tight-lipped smile. "That's amazing Betty! I'm glad you've met some new people." I tried to sound excited for her.

"Willowww," Her voice dragged out my name in a teasing manner. "You are still my number one best friend, okay?" Her words lingered in the air and I hummed in response. She was my best friend. I was her best friend.

She would not forget about me...I hoped.

"Are you nervous for school? It's tomorrow, right?" She asked, changing the conversation and I felt relieved that she did. But the uncomfortable feeling in my stomach only grew more.

I gulped. I hated school. "Yeah, unfortunately. It's going to be so different now that you're not going to be there." I twisted myself to the side, breathing loudly.

I was so tired but I didn't want to fall asleep because tomorrow would come a lot sooner than I wanted it to. I could just lay awake all night and think about all the possibilities of what could happen tomorrow.

"I know, I know. But just brave it. What's really going to happen? School's not supposed to be your worst enemy so try and enjoy it a little." She said, being open-minded. I couldn't help but roll my eyes and grip my phone tighter in my hands.

"Wasn't it you who said school was an abomination to society?" I asked her, grinning from ear to ear as I recalled that memory like it was yesterday.

"I changed my mind. School's good now." She laughed and I frowned.

"It's easy for you though, you're the new girl everyone loves." I heard her sigh dramatically from the other end. But I was right. What I said was right.

"I only just got here Will, people will forget about me within a couple of days." She defended but it just ended in laughter. "How did your date go with Mister Mike?"

Mike. Mike, Mike, Mike. It didn't end in tatters but I knew one thing for sure, "It was good. But I only want to stay as friends."

"Have you told him you just want to stay as friends?" My stomach growled in discomfort and I knew I had done something wrong. "You haven't have you?" She asked, taking my silence as a no.

I groaned and sat up with my back against the headboard, "I haven't because I don't want to break his heart. He was trying, he tried so well on our date and it hurts me to think about it because I know how much he enjoyed it." Why were feelings so messed up? Why couldn't I just like him? It would make things all of a lot easier.

"You need to tell him about how you're feeling before he gets ahead of the situation. Trust me, letting him down sooner rather than later is a lot easier for you...and less painful.

"I suppose so." I sighed, closing my eyes and dragging my free hand down my face. "I'll tell him as soon as possible." Lie. I didn't have the guts to even though it was the best idea.

I didn't know if he'd be mad or not. But I also feared that he wouldn't tell me if he was upset about it when I'd tell him about my feelings. I really didn't want to hurt him.

I tapped the screen and checked the time with a sigh. "I should head to bed now B, it's getting late. We'll find some time to talk to each other soon, yeah?" I frowned and pushed my head down onto my bed.

"Yes."

"Promise?" I asked her.

"Promise. Sleep well Will, I love you."

"I love you too." I ended the call and stared down at the dimness of the screen, staring at my own reflection for countless minutes. I hoped Mike could call right now so I could tell him. Or he'd magically get the message that I didn't like him like that. But I knew none of those things would happen and I'd have to step up and be the bigger person here. I had to grow some confidence and tell him I felt. Else things could progress and we'd go on many other days, like this next coming Friday, for instance. No way could I go on the date and pretend I liked him. No way. That would be so cruel.

Somehow my mind jumped from Mike, to Theo. He had been playing on my mind ever since I laid eyes on him. He was attractive. I'd give him that. His voice and how he came across was even more attractive. There was something about his type, guys with dark hair and sharp jawlines, guys with bright green emerald eyes and a smirk that was so annoyingly addictive that I'd want to see it again and again - and even have him smirk at me. I wanted his eyes on me again and again and again; staring fondly at me for whatever reason. But I knew I messed up those chances of me looking somewhat presentable and normal when I fell in front of him in the store. What other coincidences could happen, huh?

Impulsively, my fingers were tapping the screen and searching up Stephanie's Instagram.

I had to see that picture for myself.

Straight away, first account, it was hers. It was also a major giveaway it was her considering her profile picture was of her in a sports bra. Like I wanted to see that.

I pressed onto her account and checked out her pictures she had uploaded not that long ago. But none of them were of Theo and her. Neither did she have a story up which clearly meant there was no picture of them together like the picture Betty sent me.

Odd. It was all odd.

I flicked off the app and switched off my phone and scrambled into bed. I pulled the covers up to my chin and stared at the ceiling. No matter how tired I was, I was wide awake. Mt mind was keeping me up as I continued to think back on that picture and why it suddenly disappeared like it wasn't ever there. Why did she delete it?

Fifteen minutes later and I was finally allowing myself to sleep. It was then when I realised how sore my eyes were and how sleepy I really was.

Who knew what tomorrow may of brought. Would it actually go the way I wanted it to?

I felt like a stranger in my own school. I felt like I didn't know anyone there.

My eyes blinked and I turned my head to the clock laying on the side of the table, covered slightly by some books I had bought online.

10:36, it blinked in big red lettering and I stared at it, hoping I'd be able to wake up early for school tomorrow.

🝮🝮🝮

My eyes fluttered open, then closed again. Repeating the same process over for about five to ten minutes, I yawned and finally sat up, my hair still in tact with the plaits.

I scrambled out of bed to grab myself some clothes from my closet when suddenly there was a knock at the door, the sweet voice of my Mother behind it. "Can I come in?"

"Yes." I called out and the door creaked open, revealing a happy face. She came in with a big smile on her face and I smiled in admiration as she spun around, showing off her frilly white dress.

"You look lovely." I complimented, and she spun around again, hands on her hips.

"I found this in some bags. I must've bought this when I was slimmer because the arms are quite tight." I laughed and she came over, taking me into her embrace.

Seconds later I was wandering into my closet and scanning the shelf's and hangers of clothes. "Why don't you wear this cute top?" Mom suggested as she pulled something out from the shelf. But I shook my head, the loose strands from the plaits falling over my face.

"It's too pink. I don't necessarily want to stick out like a sore thumb. I especially don't want people thinking I like unicorns and rainbows." I smiled to myself and flicked through some clothes that were hung up on their hangers. Then the next second they were tossed onto the carpet.

"Okay honey." She kissed my head and chuckled. "I wanted to just come and check on you and see how you were doing. But you look like you're doing, fine." She glanced down at the clothes sprawled across the floor that I had taken out from my closet. "I'm starting breakfast now." She said as she left my room to go and knock on Callum's.

Callum had been acting much moodier than he'd normally act. Yes he was annoying and loud most of the time, but now, he was just super quiet or even extra annoying when I'd do something or say something.

After a good solid ten minutes trying to search for something to wear, I thankfully made up my mind. I decided to wear a pair of stone washed jeans with a pretty strapped top that flowed just right over my mid drift. I clipped on a cute little necklace and checked myself out in the mirror. With time still left to spare, I did my makeup to sponge away the darkness under my eyes and added some hairspray to my loose curls I had taken out.

"Hey Mom." I greeted her as I stepped into the kitchen. Mom looked at me and smiled, passing Callum a plait of Nutella toast.

I noticed how Callum didn't meet my eyes, instead he got up and placed his plate into the dishwasher, taking the piece of toast with him. "I'll be in the car." He told me before attempting to walk off, but Mom was much quicker.

"Have a good day you two. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." She said, planting a kiss on our foreheads.

Callum silently nodded and went outside, but Mom caught my attention once again. "What's up with him? Has something happened?" She asked, looking towards the front door.

I swallowed thickly and felt my stomach churn again and again. "I don't know." I said. Mom just nodded before looking back to me.

"Honey, what are you going to have for breakfast? You need to eat."

"I'll grab something from the cafeteria. Don't worry." I quickly gave her a kiss on her cheek before leaving.

"Okay darling. I'm going to be home late tonight because of work but there's food in the freezer." I heard my Mom shout from behind me and I turned back, nodding and waving goodbye.

Mom was a nurse. She worked a hell of a lot to pay for the house bills and for the food. I occasionally helped pay because living in California wasn't at all cheap. But Dad wanted to come and live here and of course, we couldn't say no.

The ride to school was silent. Driving the same route to school made me feel sick with nerves as I remembered all the time Betty drove us to school, blasting music out on the speakers and singing our hearts out. Betty was in the schools music club and she was absolutely amazing at it. She was super talented.

Even passing by the same coffee shops, the same trees and busy streets, it all gave me a wave of nostalgia. After school some days, when we'd have studying to do, me and Betty would sit in our favourite coffee shop and revise. Every time I ordered a caramel iced coffee whereas she'd order a spiced latte because that was her favourite drink

I missed her so much.

I just wished the Summer could come round quickly.

I turned the volume of the music down by the dial, giving a side glance at Callum. But he was just looking down at his phone completely unbothered.

We hadn't spoken about what happened the other evening when he came home drunk out of his mind. And had to have his friend take him home. He hadn't spoken to Mom about it and frankly, she didn't think anything of it apart from him getting drunk and having fun. But it was way more than just a little bit of fun. He was bothered by Dad and what he was doing.

"Callum."